Glove with retractable tether

ABSTRACT

A glove includes a guide assembly that includes a guide support fixedly attached to the glove body, a guide portion attached to and extending along the guide support to define a fixed path, and a guide device movable along the guide portion between first and second positions. A flexible tether has one end fixedly attached to the glove body at an attachment location along the fixed path. A tether loop on the guide device engages and guides the flexible tether between a retracted position and a deployed position. In the retracted position, the guide device is in the second position and the flexible tether is doubled on itself along the fixed path. In the deployed position, the guide device is in the first position and the tether extends in a single-ply configuration from the guide assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to drop-prevention devices and more particularly to a glove with a retractable tether.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Drop-prevention lanyards and tethers are safety equipment used by workers in or around electrical power plants, chemical plants, construction sites, warehouses, and other industrial sites. Lanyards and tethers are useful to connect a hand tool or other piece of equipment to the worker's person or a nearby structure and prevent dropped objects from falling freely.

At nuclear power plants, for example, workers often will work from a bridge crane that straddles a reactor vessel filled with water. Dropped tools and equipment may land in the pool of water. If the dropped item cannot be retrieved before it sinks, then the retrieval process may be time consuming and very costly. A nuclear power plant may lose $100,000 per hour due to down time during a refueling or maintenance outage. Depending on where the dropped item comes to rest, it could take several hours to retrieve it and consequently delay the plant from coming back online.

Work gloves are another piece of safety equipment worn by workers and tradesmen in a variety of industries and work settings. Gloves are helpful to protect one's hands from abrasion, pinches, burns, chemicals, and other hazards. Use of gloves is mandated by some safety programs and addresses hazards present in these industries.

The prior art includes several glove designs that include a pocket. US patent application publication no. 2007/0101479 A1 to Turner discloses a cold-weather glove or mitten with a cuff-mounted holder for a small cell phone. The pocket is positioned against the wrist of the wearer and has a mouth opening towards the glove wrist so that the phone can be easily removed without the need to remove the glove from the wearer's hand. The glove's cuff extends sufficiently from the wrist portion to accommodate a cell phone and is made of a thin, flexible fabric to facilitate the user detecting the vibration alert of the phone.

US patent application publication no. 2006/0162045 A1 to Carey et al. discloses a glove with a flow-through pocket positioned on the back of the user's hand. The pocket has one or two zippered openings to permit increased cooling by air circulation through the back portion of the glove. Alternately, the pocket receives a heat-generating packet for added warmth or a heat insulator to shield the wearer from external heat. In one embodiment, the glove has two zippered openings to the pocket, where each zipper extends distally along the back panel of the glove. A first zipper extends along the wearer's index finger and the other zipper extends along the wearer's little finger. In another embodiment, a first zipper extends laterally across the back panel of the glove adjacent the wearer's knuckles. A second zipper extends parallel to the first zipper and is located at the wearer's proximal end of the hand adjacent the wrist. In each embodiment, the zipper provides an opening to the pocket located on the back of the wearer's hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Unfortunately, gloves reduce the dexterity and fine motor control of the worker. As a result, a worker wearing gloves may inadvertently drop a hand tool as a result of wearing gloves. When gloves are used together with a tether, the combination can be cumbersome or uncomfortable, depending on where the tether extends in relation to the worker's hands.

For example, a worker extending to reach with a tool may find that the tether attached to that tool is not long enough for the reach. In other cases, the outstretched tether may pose a hazard itself due to the possibility of catching on structures, equipment, or other workers.

Also, prior-art gloves with pockets lack the features to allow the glove to house a tether retractor and for the wearer to comfortably tether a hand tool during use. For example, the Carey et al. glove discussed above positions the pocket on the back of the wearer's hand. A retractor located in such a pocket is uncomfortable because it does not flex and does not allow the glove to flex with the hand's movement when grasping tools.

Therefore, what is needed is a work glove that includes a retractable tether. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a glove with a built-in retractable tether, where the tether can extend between a hand tool or other object and the glove. The present invention achieves this and other objectives by providing a glove with retractor pocket constructed to house a tether retractor with deployable tether. The present invention also achieves this and other objectives by providing a tether deployable using a guide device movable along a guide portion attached to the glove.

In one aspect of the invention, a glove has a glove body constructed to receive a user's hand, a proximal end, a distal end, a palmar portion corresponding to a user's palm, and a dorsal portion corresponding to a user's back of the hand. The glove also has one or more finger compartments connected to and extending from the distal end of the glove body, where each of the one or more finger compartment is constructed to receive one or more of a user's fingers. A cuff portion extends from the proximal end of glove body, where the cuff portion defines a pocket with a pocket compartment sized to house a tether retractor. The pocket also defines a tether opening communicating with the pocket compartment and positioned adjacent the proximal end of the glove body.

In one embodiment, the tether opening is positioned adjacent the proximal end of the palmar portion of the glove body.

In another embodiment, a tether retractor is disposed in the pocket compartment and has a retractor body with a deployable tether extending through the tether opening.

In another embodiment, a connector is attached to a first tether end of the tether and is configured for releasable attachment to a hand tool or an article of clothing.

In another aspect of the present invention, a glove includes a guide assembly that includes a guide support fixedly attached to the glove body, a guide portion attached to and extending along the guide support to define a fixed path, and a guide device movable along the guide portion between first and second positions. A flexible tether has one end fixedly attached to the glove body at an attachment location along the fixed path and another end extending from the guide assembly. A tether loop on the guide device engages and guides the flexible tether between a retracted position and a deployed position. In the deployed position, the guide device is in the first position and the tether extends in a single-ply configuration from the guide assembly. In the retracted position, the guide device is in the second position and the tether is at least partially retracted into a pocket between the guide assembly and the glove.

In the retracted position of one embodiment, the flexible tether is doubled on itself along the fixed path. The guide assembly therefore provides a 2:1 ratio of tether length to guide path length between the first and second positions.

In some embodiments, a connector is attached to the first tether end and configured for releasable attachment to a hand tool or an article of clothing.

In another embodiment, the guide portion is an opposed pair of zipper teeth disposed along the fixed path and the guide device is a zipper slider configured to open and close the pair of zipper teeth when moved between the first position and the second position, respectively.

In another embodiment, the guide assembly cooperates with the glove body to form a pocket into which a substantial portion of the flexible tether retracts when the guide device is moved to the second position.

In another embodiment, the first position is located towards the proximal end of the dorsal portion of the cuff and the second position is located towards the distal end of the dorsal portion of the glove body.

In another embodiment, the fixed path extends circumferentially along the cuff. In yet another embodiment, the fixed path extends helically along the cuff.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, claims, and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a glove of the present invention with one embodiment of a tether apparatus mounted to a dorsal surface thereof, where the tether is in a retracted position.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the glove of FIG. 1 showing the tether apparatus with the tether deployed from the mounting assembly.

FIG. 3A is a perspective, anterior view showing another embodiment of a glove of the present invention, where the tether apparatus includes a zipper extending circumferentially about the cuff portion and with the tether in a retracted position.

FIG. 3B is a perspective, anterior view showing another embodiment of a glove of the present invention, where the tether apparatus includes a zipper extending helically along the cuff portion with the tether in a retracted position.

FIG. 3C is a perspective, anterior view of the glove of FIG. 3B showing the glove of FIG. 3B with the tether in a deployed position.

FIG. 4 is a perspective sectional view of part of a glove and tether apparatus of the present invention showing the tether apparatus attached to the dorsal surface of the glove and the guide device in a closed or retracted position with the tether disposed in a pocket formed between the mounting assembly and the glove.

FIG. 5 is a perspective sectional view of the glove and tether part of FIG. 4 showing the tether apparatus in an open or deployed position with the tether extending from the pocket.

FIG. 6A is a top, perspective view of one embodiment of a guide device of the present invention showing the tether loop extending across the bottom surface of the guide device.

FIG. 6B is a bottom, perspective view of another embodiment of a guide device of the present invention showing the tether loop held by a clip attached to the bottom surface of the guide device.

FIG. 6C is a bottom, perspective view of another embodiment of a guide device of the present invention showing a tether loop defining a closed loop and connected to sides of the guide device and extending across the bottom surface.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another embodiment of a glove of the present invention showing a pocket on the anterior portion of the cuff with a tether retractor retained therein.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of another embodiment of a glove of the present invention showing a pocket on the dorsal portion of the cuff with the tether extending between the thumb and index finger compartments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in FIGS. 1-8. Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, a glove 2 with retractable tether apparatus 20 is provided which functions to releasably retain to a user a hand tool (not shown) or other object. Glove 2 has a proximal glove end 2 a, a distal glove end 2 b, a dorsal surface 6 and an anterior surface 8 (shown in FIGS. 3A-3B). Glove 2 includes a glove body 4 constructed to receive a wearer's hand. One or more finger compartments 10 connect to and extend distally from the distal end 4 b of glove body 4, where each finger compartment 10 is constructed to receive one or more of the wearer's fingers. For example, glove 2 may be configured for five fingers, as a mitten, as a glove 2 without fingertips, and/or a glove 2 with one finger compartment 10 for the wearer's thumb and additional finger compartments 10 that receive two fingers each. A cuff 12 connects to and extends proximally from proximal end 4 a of glove body 4. Cuff 12 may extend proximally just beyond the wearer's wrist or may extend further up the wearer's forearm in the style of a “gauntlet” glove 2 or the like. Cuff 12 is sized and constructed for the particular work to be done and the type and level of protection sought. For example, glove 2 is constructed to protect the wearer from heat, abrasion, chemical splashes, or cutting implements.

FIG. 1 shows glove 2 with one embodiment of a tether apparatus 20 attached to dorsal surface 6 of glove body 4 and cuff 12. Tether apparatus includes a mounting assembly 22 with a guide portion 23 that defines a fixed path 25 (shown in FIG. 3) between first end 22 a and second end 22 b of mounting assembly 22. Mounting assembly 22 further includes a guide device 26 movably mounted to the guide portion 23 for movement along fixed path 25 between a first position and a second position, shown for example in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. An optional pull tab 37 is mounted to guide device 26 of the mounting assembly 22 to facilitate manual manipulation of guide device 26 between the first position and the second position. In one embodiment, guide portion 23 and guide device 26 are components of a zipper, where guide portion 23 is an opposed pair of zipper teeth and guide device 26 is a zipper slider. In one embodiment, mounting assembly 22 includes a pair of cloth strips that retain and support the respective pair of zipper teeth. Mounting assembly 22 in other embodiments, is a bracket, support, or other structure that connects to guide portion 23 and that can be fixedly attached to glove 2 to hold guide portion 23 in a position for engagement by guide device 26.

A flexible tether 28 is provided and has a first tether end 28 a and second tether end 28 b, where second tether end 28 b (shown in FIGS. 4-5) is fixedly attached to glove 2 or mounting assembly 22 at an attachment location 30 along fixed path 25. For example, second tether end 28 b is attached using stitching, adhesive, a fastener or other suitable means. First tether end 28 a is configured to be attached to the wearer's clothing or a hand tool. In one embodiment, tether apparatus 20 further includes a connector 27 attached to first tether end 28 a and configured for releasable attachment to the wearer's clothing or to a hand tool. In other embodiments, connector 27 is optional and may be supplied as needed by the end user.

In some embodiments, connector 27 is a spring clip, clamp, screw connector, hook, split ring, or closed-loop connector, or other connector that can be releasably attached to a hand tool. Selecting connector 27 depends at least in part on the geometry of the object to which connector 27 will be connected. For example, using connector 27 to tether glove 2 to the worker's sleeve would suggest selecting connector 27 as being configured to securely engage an article of clothing. On the other hand, using connector 27 to attach to a hand tool may require that connector 27 has an increased mouth opening compared to what is needed for attachment to clothing. The particular object(s) to which connector 27 will attach and the presence of any other connecting parts present will be used to determine which connector 27 is appropriate for the intended use.

When guide device 26 (e.g., zipper slider) is in the first position, first tether end 28 a and connector 27 are in a retracted condition as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 1, where first tether end 28 a is drawn towards second end 22 b of mounting assembly. When guide device 26 is in the second position, first tether end 28 a and connector 27 (when present) extend from mounting assembly 22 in a deployed condition as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 2. In the retracted condition, tether 28 is doubled on itself along fixed path 25 of guide portion 23. In the first position as shown in FIGS. 1 & 3, tether 28 is retracted and substantially disposed within mounting assembly 22. As such, tether 28 avoids entanglement since it does not freely hang or dangle from glove 2. In the second or deployed condition on the other hand, tether 28 extends from mounting assembly 22 to enable connector 27 to be secured to the user's clothing or to a hand tool held in the user's hand donning glove 2.

In one embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-2, guide portion 23 of the mounting assembly extends along dorsal side of glove 2 and defines fixed path 25 aligned with a finger compartment 10 for the index or middle finger of the wearer. In other embodiments, fixed path 25 extends along the user's ring finger, little finger, center of the hand, side of the hand, or other location on glove 2. In one embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-2, mounting assembly is 22 mounted to an exterior side of distal surface 6 of glove 2. In other embodiments, mounting assembly 22 is mounted to the interior side of dorsal surface 6 so that substantially only guide portion 23 (e.g., zipper teeth) and guide device 26 (e.g., zipper slider) are visible on dorsal surface 6 of glove 2. In such an embodiment, second tether end 28 b is secured to an attachment location 30 on the interior face of distal surface 6 or to another layer of glove 2.

To accommodate and retain the flexible tether 28 along fixed path 25, mounting assembly 22 cooperates with glove 2 to form an elongated pocket 32 extending substantially along fixed path 25 between the first position and the second position. Pocket 32, as best viewed in FIG. 2, is sized and dimensioned for tether 28 to be slidably received into and delivered therefrom as guide device 26 moves along guide portion 23. The elongated pocket 32 is created along fixed path 25 by fastening the opposed longitudinal edge portions 22 c of mounting assembly 22 to glove 2. At one end of the pocket 32 is a pocket opening 34 formed to receive into and deliver therefrom tether 28 as guide device 26 moves along guide portion 23. Pocket opening 34 is positioned at second end 22 b of mounting assembly 22, such as the space between second end 22 b of mounting assembly 22 and glove 22. In other embodiments, such as when mounting assembly is mounted to an inside surface of glove 2, pocket opening 34 is an opening through the material of glove 2 adjacent second end 22 b of mounting assembly 22. For example, pocket opening 34 is a slit or other opening in glove, where pocket opening 34 communicates with pocket 32.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3C, perspective views illustrates an anterior surface 8 of another embodiment of glove 2. Mounting assembly 22 is attached to cuff 12 and extends circumferentially along cuff 12 (FIG. 3A) or helically along cuff 12 (FIGS. 3B, 3C). As such, first tether end 28 a, and thereby connector 27 when present, is conveniently positioned to attach to a hand tool 5 held in the user's hand. In FIGS. 3A & 3B, tether 28 is in the retracted position with first tether end 28 a and connector 27 drawn towards second end 22 b of mounting assembly 22. In FIG. 3C, guide base 26 (zipper slider) is moved to first end 22 a of mounting assembly and tether 28 is deployed from mounting assembly 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-5, perspective, sectional views illustrate part of glove 2 with a portion of mounting assembly 22 mounted on dorsal surface 6. In FIG. 4, guide device 26 is in the first position with tether 28 retracted. Guide device 26 includes a tether loop 35 attached to or positioned along a bottom surface 26 a thereof. As guide device 26 moves along guide portion 23 of the mounting assembly 22 from the second position (FIG. 5) to the first position (FIG. 4), flexible tether 28 is drawn along the fixed path 25 and first tether end 28 a moves from the deployed condition (FIG. 5) to the retracted condition (FIG. 4). As guide device 26 moves to the first (retracted) position as shown in FIG. 4, tether loop 35 engages and guides a body portion 28 c of tether 28 and doubles tether 28 on itself within pocket 32. Since second tether end 28 b is secured at attachment location 30 that is spaced apart from first end 22 a of mounting assembly 22, body portion 28 c of tether 28 is drawn into pocket 32 in a two-ply or folded configuration. When tether 28 is a length of webbing, tether 28 typically becomes folded on itself. When tether 28 is a cord or cable, tether 28 typically may become folded alongside itself within pocket 32.

In some embodiments, second tether end 28 b is fixedly secured to glove 2 at or near second end 22 b of mounting assembly 22. Accordingly, as guide device 26 moves to the second position, tether 28 unfolds and deploys from mounting assembly 22. The doubled condition of tether 28 when guide device 26 is in the first position allows tether 28 to have a length that is up to twice that of guide portion 23. When mounting assembly 22 is a zipper, for example, the zipper closes and tightens pocket 32 on tether 28 as guide device 26 moves to the first position, thereby restricting the ability of tether 28 to be pulled out from mounting assembly 22. Conversely, as guide device 26 moves towards the second position, the zipper opens and loosens pocket 32 on tether 28, thereby allowing tether 28 to be easily deployed from mounting assembly 22.

Tether 28 is made of a flexible material that provides sufficient tensile strength to arrest the fall of a dropped hand tool 5, but also allows tether 28 to double on itself between guide portion 23 and glove 2. In one embodiment, tether 28 is made of nylon webbing. Many cord or strap materials can be satisfactorily employed, including rope, twine, plastic, webbing, ribbon, fabric strip, and other materials. In other embodiments, tether 28 is elasticized or stretchable to provide an increased ability to absorb the forces of a dropped hand tool 5 or the like. For example, tether 28 is an elasticized nylon webbing or a rubber strap or cord. In some embodiments, mounting assembly 22 is similarly flexible so that guide portion 23 and other components thereof may conform to the shape of glove 2 as it changes during use on the user's hand.

Tether 28 may be deployed from pocket 32 (shown in FIG. 2) by moving guide member 26 to the second position. Another technique to deliver tether 28 from mounting assembly 22 is by simply pulling on first tether end 28 a or connector 27, which in turn draws tether 28 through pocket opening 34 to the deployed condition, and displaces guide device from the first position to the second position. During periods of non-use, tether 28 can be retracted into the pocket 32 through pocket opening 34 by moving guide device 26 via pull tab 37. By pulling guide device 26 along guide portion 23 from the second position to the first position, tether 28 is engaged by tether loop 35 and is pulled to the retracted condition.

As guide device 26 of the mounting assembly 22 moves, slides and/or ratchets along guide portion 23, tether 28 is retracted along or deployed from fixed path 25. In one embodiment, guide portion 23 is a rail-type structure that cooperates with guide device 26 to move both guide device 26 and tether 28 along fixed path 25. In one example, a ratchet-type structure may be provided that locks guide device 26 along fixed path 25 between the first position and the second position unless guide device 26 is released. Other sliding-type devices suitable for use along fixed path 25 are acceptable and include plastic zippers and enclosed glide and pull devices. In one embodiment, guide portion 23 is a slider track and guide device 26 is a slider engaging the slider track. In another embodiment, guide portion 23 includes opposed, mating tongue-and-groove structures and guide device 26 is a slider that engages or disengages the mating structures as guide device 26 moves along fixed path 25. In yet another embodiment, guide portion 23 includes spaced-apart tracks and guide device 26 is a slider that engages the tracks and extends between the tracks.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6C, perspective views illustrate various embodiments of guide device 26 in the form of a zipper slider. FIG. 6A illustrates a top, perspective view of guide device 26 configured as a zipper slider with pull tab 37 and tether loop 35. Tether loop 35 is connected to and extends from side 26 b of guide device and across bottom surface 26 a (shown in FIGS. 6B-6C). In this embodiment, tether loop 35 is open at one end.

FIGS. 6B-6C illustrate bottom, perspective views of other embodiments of guide device 26 also configured as a zipper slider. In FIG. 6B, tether loop 35 is a closed ring that is attached to guide device by a clip 36 attached to bottom surface 26 a. In some embodiments, clip 36 engages tether loop 35 and allows it to pivot. In other embodiments, tether loop 35 is held in a fixed orientation by clip 36. Tether loop 35 may be attached by other suitable methods, such as welding, being formed as a single piece with guide device 26, and use of fasteners. FIG. 6C shows tether loop 35 extending out from sides 26 b of guide device 26 and across but spaced from bottom surface 26 a to define a closed loop. This configuration of tether loop 35 receives tether 28 through the closed loop, where tether 28 is wider than guide device 26. Tether loop 35 may be sized and shaped as appropriate for the geometry of tether 28.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a plan view shows anterior surface 8 of another embodiment of glove 2′ of the present invention that includes a retractor pocket 40 defined in or attached to cuff 12. In one embodiment, retractor pocket 40 is a flexible panel 41 that is attached to the outside surface of cuff 12 and defines a retractor compartment 42 sized to retain a tether retractor 50. Panel 41 defining retractor pocket 40 may be attached to cuff 12 by stitching, rivets, snaps, buttons, adhesive, hook-and-loop fastener, or other means or a combination of means. In some embodiments, panel 41 used to make front retractor pocket 40 is made of an elasticized or stretchable material, such as those containing natural or synthetic rubber. Examples of acceptable materials for panel 41 include canvas, nylon, leather, cloth, plastic, thermoplastics, and polychloroprene material (e.g., made by DuPont and sold under the name Neoprene®).

In one embodiment, retractor pocket 40 defines a pocket opening 43 along at least one edge 41 a of panel 41 for installation and removal of retractor 50. Retractor pocket 40 may be selectively closable or partially closable by the user with a snap, button, hook-and-loop fastener, zipper, drawstring, or nested metal clips attached between panel 41 and glove 2, and the like. In other embodiments, retractor pocket 40 is permanently closed by the manufacturer after installing tether retractor 50, such as by stitching or adhesive along all edges 41 a of panel 41.

Retractor pocket 40 is sized to house and retain retractor 50 having a retractable tether 28 made of wire or cord. Retractor 50 is spring-loaded to automatically retract tether 28. With retractor 50 disposed in retractor pocket 40, tether 28 extends from retractor 50 and passes through tether opening 45 towards a palmar region 9 of anterior surface 8 of glove 2′. Tether 28 may then be connected to connector 27 or directly to a hand tool 5 held by the user. Tether opening 45 may be a slit, hole, gap, or other opening sized for passage of tether 28. In one embodiment, tether opening 45 is defined by an eyelet or grommet 47 secured through panel 41. In one embodiment, grommet 47 has an opening of about ⅛ to ¼ inch in diameter.

First tether end 28 a defines an end opening 56 through which connector 27 may be installed. In some embodiments, end opening 56 is defined by folding first tether end 28 a back on itself to form a loop and then installing a crimp 59. Connector 27 may be a D-ring, split ring, carabiner, closed loop, clamp, or other connector. In other embodiments, a swivel connector, cable crimp 59, or the like is installed on first tether end 28 a, where the connector or crimp 59 includes end opening 56. In yet other embodiments, tether 28 is tied in a knot with first tether end 28 a looped through connector 27, where the knot defines end opening 56.

Turning now to FIG. 8, a plan view illustrates dorsa surface 4 of glove 2′ including retractor pocket 40. Tether retractor 50 is disposed in the compartment of retractor pocket 40 with tether 28 extending through tether opening 45 positioned towards the user's radial side of cuff portion 12. As such, connector 27 is conveniently placed between the thumb finger compartment 10 a and index finger compartment 10 b to attach to a hand tool 5 (shown in FIGS. 3).

In use, the wearer of glove 2, 2′ can secure tether 28 to hand tool 5 or other object to prevent accidental tool drops without tether 28 becoming entangled with other worker equipment as may occur when a tool lanyard originates from the worker's tool belt or similar location. Tether 28 is also useful to tether glove 2, 2′ to the worker's clothing to prevent dropping the glove. Therefore, embodiments of glove 2, 2′ improve worker efficiency, safety, and comfort when using hand tools.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, the above description is merely illustrative. Further modification of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A glove comprising: a glove body configured to receive a user's hand and a cuff connected to and extending proximally of the glove body, each of the glove body and the cuff having an anterior portion, a dorsal portion, a proximal end, and a distal end; a guide assembly comprising: a guide support fixedly attached to one or more of the glove body and the cuff; a guide portion attached to and extending along the guide support and defining a fixed path; and a guide device movable along the guide portion between a first position and a second position, the guide device having a bottom surface facing the glove; a flexible tether having a first tether end and a second tether end, wherein the second tether end is fixedly attached at an attachment location along the fixed path that is spaced from the second position; and a tether loop connected to the guide device and positioned to engage and guide the flexible tether between (i) a retracted position when with the guide device in the second position and in which the flexible tether is doubled on itself along the fixed path, and (ii) a deployed position when the guide device is in the first position and in which the flexible tether extends in a single-ply configuration out from the attachment location, thereby providing a 2:1 ratio of tether length to guide path length measured between the first position and the second position.
 2. The glove of claim 1 further comprising a connector attached to the first tether end and configured for releasable attachment to a hand tool.
 3. The glove of claim 1, wherein the guide portion is an opposed pair of zipper teeth disposed along the fixed path and wherein the guide device is a zipper slider configured to open and close the pair of zipper teeth when moved between the first position and the second position, respectively.
 4. The glove of claim 3, wherein the guide assembly cooperates with the glove body to form a pocket into which a substantial portion of the flexible tether retracts when the guide device is moved to the second position.
 5. The glove of claim 1, wherein the first position is located towards the proximal end of the dorsal portion of the cuff and the second position is located towards the distal end of the dorsal portion of the glove body.
 6. The glove of claim 1, wherein the fixed path extends circumferentially along the cuff.
 7. The glove of claim 1, wherein the fixed path extends helically along the cuff.
 8. The glove of claim 1, wherein the second tether end is attached to the guide device.
 9. A glove comprising: a glove body constructed to receive a user's hand and having a proximal end a distal end, a palmar portion corresponding to a user's palm, and a dorsal portion corresponding to a user's back of the hand; one or more finger compartment connected to and extending from the distal end of the glove body, wherein each of the one or more finger compartment is constructed to receive one or more of a user's fingers; a cuff portion extending from the proximal end of glove body, wherein the cuff portion defines a pocket with a pocket compartment sized to house a tether retractor and further defining a tether opening communicating with the pocket compartment and positioned adjacent the proximal end of the glove body.
 10. The glove of claim 9, wherein the tether opening is positioned adjacent the proximal end of the palmar portion of the glove body.
 11. The glove of claim 9 further comprising a tether retractor disposed in the pocket compartment and having a retractor body with a tether deployable from the retractor body through the tether opening.
 12. The glove of claim 11 further comprising a connector attached to a first tether end of the tether and configured for releasable attachment to an object selected from the group consisting of a hand tool and an article of clothing. 